Question 1

Can I make a housing disrepair claim?

Accepted Answer

If you rent from the council or a housing association in England or Wales and your home has problems like damp, mould, leaks, broken heating or structural damage that have not been put right, you may be able to make a claim. Your landlord has a legal duty to keep the property in repair.

Question 2

How long does a housing disrepair claim take?

Accepted Answer

Most claims settle in around 3 to 6 months. It depends on how serious the disrepair is, how quickly your landlord responds and whether a surveyor needs to inspect the property.

Question 3

Will I get evicted for making a claim?

Accepted Answer

Making a claim is not a legal ground for possession. As a council or housing association tenant you will normally hold a secure or assured tenancy, so your landlord can only seek possession on one of the specific grounds set out in law, and a court has to agree. Wanting to be rid of a tenant who complained is not one of them.

Question 4

How much compensation could I receive?

Accepted Answer

It depends on how serious the disrepair was, how long it went on for and how it affected you. Nobody can value a claim before seeing the evidence, so we will not put a figure on it until we have looked at yours.

Question 5

What does No Win, No Fee mean?

Accepted Answer

You pay nothing upfront, and no fee to us if your claim does not succeed. If your claim succeeds, our success fee is capped at 25% of your compensation. After the Event insurance is normally arranged to protect you against your landlord's costs if the claim fails, and the premium is only payable if you win, out of your compensation. Every deduction is set out in writing before you sign anything.

Question 6

What evidence do I need?

Accepted Answer

Dated photos and videos of the problem, copies of anything you sent your landlord, a note of when you reported it and who you spoke to, receipts for anything that was ruined, and any medical records if your health was affected.

Question 7

Do I need to attend court?

Accepted Answer

Most housing disrepair claims settle without ever reaching a courtroom. Your solicitor will only recommend court as a last resort, and will talk you through it first if it comes to that.

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